A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word entered the English language most likely through French (mosquée), from Portuguese (mesquita), from Spanish (mezquita), and from Berber (tamezgida), ultimately originating in Arabic: masjid مسجد‎ — Arabic pronunciation: [ˈmæsdʒɪd].[1] The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration. The word "mosque" in English refers to all types of buildings dedicated for Islamic worship, although there is a distinction in Arabic between the smaller masjid dedicated for the daily five prayers and the larger masjid jāmi (مسجد جامع) where the daily five prayers and the Friday congregation sermons are held with a high volume of attendance. The mosque serves as a place where Muslims can come together for salat (prayer) (Arabic: صلاة‎, ṣalāt) as well as a center for information, education, and dispute settlement. The Imam leads the prayer. They have developed significantly from the open-air spaces that were the Quba Mosque and Al-Masjid al-Nabawi in the 7th century. Many mosques have elaborate domes, minarets, and prayer halls. Mosques originated on the Arabian Peninsula, but are now found in all inhabited continents. Large mosques play sometime a political role as well. In Islamic countries like Pakistan, Iran and Iraq (after 2003), political subjects are preached by imams at Friday congregations on a regular basis.[2] In other Islamic countries, imams are usually banned from mentioning political issues. Contents[hide] * 1 History * 1.1 Diffusion and evolution * 1.2 Conversion of places of worship * 2 Religious functions * 2.1 Prayers * 2.2 Ramadan events * 2.3 Charity * 3 Contemporary political roles * 3.1 Advocacy * 3.2 Social conflict * 3.3 Saudi influence * 4 Architecture * 4.1 Styles * 4.2 Minarets * 4.3 Domes * 4.4 Prayer hall * 4.5 Ablution facilities * 4.6 Contemporary features * 4.7 "Makeshift" mosques * 5 Rules and etiquette * 5.1 Prayer leader * 5.2 Cleanliness * 5.3 Dress * 5.4 Concentration * 5.5 Gender separation * 5.6 Non-Muslims in mosques * 5.7 Dogs * 5.8 Other related information * 5.9 Lists of mosques * 5.9.1 By location * 5.9.2 By size * 6 References * 7 Further reading * 8 Notes and references * 9 External links| [edit] History

Grand entryways and tall towers, or minarets, have long been and continue to be closely associated with mosques. However, the first three masajid were very simple open spaces on the Arabian Peninsula. Masajid evolved significantly over the next 1,000 years, acquiring their now-distinctive features and adapting to cultures around the world. [edit] Diffusion and evolution

Mosques were built outside the Arabian Peninsula as Muslims moved to other parts of the world. Egypt became occupied by Muslim Arabs as early as 640, and since then so many mosques have appeared throughout the country that its capital city, Cairo, has acquired the nickname of city of a thousand...

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